Regular workouts are great, but sometimes you can get into a rut. Doing the same thing every time can get tiring, and pretty soon, you can find that you don’t get as much out of your workouts as you used to, even if you’re a huge fitness fanatic.
You can find yourself loosening up with your form and cutting your workout short, among other things. In order to break that, there are a few things you can do. According to personal trainer and yoga instructor Jolene Cherry, the main trick is to boost your motivation; that will give you the drive you need to improve a stale workout.
Below, Jolene Cherry shares ten tips to help you get the most out of your workout.
Have a Partner
Having a workout buddy not only encourages you, but it also holds you accountable. Ask a friend to join you and come up with mutual goals to help each other stay on track.
Hire a Personal Trainer
If you don’t know anyone interested in working out, hiring a personal trainer might be your next best move.
They will make sure you’re meeting all of your goals, both big and small, as well as make sure you’re exercising in the right way, without putting yourself at risk of injuring yourself.
Sign Up for a Competition
If you need something to really motivate you to work out, sign up for a competition. Having a due date and a reason to workout will probably do the trick.
Listen to Music
The right music can pump you up and help you zone out while you work out. Whatever genre you like, buy an armband and a nice pair of headphones, and set up a playlist on your phone for you to enjoy during your workouts.
Limit Your Workouts
Long workouts can actually do more harm than good. They can drain you of your energy, make you dread your workouts, and put you at a higher risk of injury.
Instead, limit your workouts to about 30 minutes, or split up your workouts into more manageable chunks.
Do Something You Enjoy
If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you’re not going to do it well. Choose a workout you like.
Switch It Up
When you get tired of your workout, do something new and out of the ordinary to freshen things up.
Prep the Right Way
Eating carbs before a workout gives you the energy your body needs to carry out your workout routine.
Drink Plenty of Water
Before, during, and after your workout, it’s important to stay hydrated. Fill up a water bottle, and make sure to take breaks, so you don’t dehydrate. It will help your body recover later, too.
Rest
When you’re done with your workout, it’s essential to rest well. Get plenty of sleep, eat or drink plenty of protein, and develop a post-workout recovery routine. Some people swear by massages; others will ice or go into a sauna.
Don’t forget to take rest days, too. Doing so will give you the chance to recuperate, so you’re ready to give the next workout everything you’ve got.
About Jolene Cherry: Jolene Cherry is a certified and experienced yoga instructor and personal trainer based in Portland, Oregon. She has always been interested in fitness, meditation, and nutrition and decided to help others reach their desired levels of physical fitness. Her international training and experience, ranging from Hawaii to Thailand, along with her nurturing one-on-one sessions, have helped propel her to a prominent personal trainer and yoga instructor in the Pacific Northwest. She excels in a variety of yoga styles, especially Vinyasa Yoga, traditional Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, as well as meditation-oriented Yin Yoga.